They can't give out more than 3 FP+

[Marionnette]

What is this world come to when I'm accused of being too hopeful for FP+?

I think that we are both hopeful about FP+ eventually working out the kinks. I don't know if we are both hoping for the same outcome, but I don't think that there is anything wrong with being optimistic.

 

[morethananyonex]

But it is still a test, just like everything else that is being done with FP+. Yes, I do understand that it is in line with Disney's ultimate goal of locking everyone into their system, but I also know that when something is a "test" it is also subject to change or cancellation. I also understand that only allowing one FP+ per person for pre-booking and then having guests make their other 2 choices on the fly after they have entered the park, as the PP suggested, is in direct conflict with Disney's goal to "lock everyone in".

Yes it's still a "test" but this testing phase has been much more similar to a rollout. It is not unreasonable to think that once they give an ability they won't take it away. Hardly wishful thinking.

It also doesn't make sense to think long lines at kiosks and upset offsite guests are part of Disney's long term solution. They want people happier and more relaxed so their wallets open. Not stressed and annoyed so they spend less and come back less frequently. Offsite guests are important to Disney too, and they don't have the space to convert everyone onsite. Again, not wishful thinking at all to think offsite guests are getting pre booking and the ability to use the app. It seems very likely given Disney's goals and the current situation.

 

[Texas Barbie]

I think what's really going on here is that Disney sees the need to ration experiences, simply because park attendance is up and will continue to grow, mostly because of foreign visitors. I go Labor day week every year. The parks used to be dead at that time. Everything was a walk-on. Last year they were fairly crowded that week, with lines up to 60 minutes for the headliners. Most of these visitors were apparently from the UK, judging by their accents, or non English speaking countries. The world population is growing, the world economy is good, and people will do anything for their children. The word is out that Disney World is special. Disney sees what is coming and is attempting to accommodate it. It means guaranteeing everyone 3 experiences, and the ones who knew how to play the system get less, unless they are willing to do rope drop, ride during parades, etc. Disney isn't worried about losing a few annual pass holders because they know the crush of people coming get from outside the country will more than make up for it. FWIW, this is the new normal.

It's still a great place, and we will still go. We'll just have to adjust to sharing it with a lot more people.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think what's really going on here is that Disney sees the need to ration experiences, simply because park attendance is up and will continue to grow, mostly because of foreign visitors.

Disney doesn't have to ration rides. They could have just as easily opted to spend that $1.5B on more attractions to increase capacity.

 

[starsweeper]

The kiosks sound ridiculous--stand in line to get a FP+ so you don't have to stand in line later?!? This certainly isn't an improvement over the old system. If I were WDW, I would have integrated a bar scanner into MDE. They could have placed signs in multiple locations throughout the parks for easy access. Guests could go over to one of many signs with FP+ rides listed with their barcodes, scan the barcode associated with a desired ride and step away while the system looked up available times, then choose a time that was returned as available. No need to have people standing in line waiting for a kiosk.

WDW could give on-site guests the advantage of pre-booking 3 FP+ and then availing themselves of the scanned FP+ in park.

 

[Marionnette]

Yes it's still a "test" but this testing phase has been much more similar to a rollout. It is not unreasonable to think that once they give an ability they won't take it away. Hardly wishful thinking.

It also doesn't make sense to think long lines at kiosks and upset offsite guests are part of Disney's long term solution. They want people happier and more relaxed so their wallets open. Not stressed and annoyed so they spend less and come back less frequently. Offsite guests are important to Disney too, and they don't have the space to convert everyone onsite. Again, not wishful thinking at all to think offsite guests are getting pre booking and the ability to use the app. It seems very likely given Disney's goals and the current situation.

During the previous phase of FP+ testing, there were no tiered choices. You could choose FP+ for TSMM, ToT and RnR. Apparently that didn't work out too well because now you can only choose one and then you must select 2 minor attractions to complete your FP+ selections. In a sense, they took a lot away from guests when they did this.

Nothing is written is stone when a new process is in the testing phase. I do agree that alienating their offsite guests would not be in their best interest. Allowing them access to the FP+ selection process through MDE is a good idea and will probably become a reality at some point. But the reality is that it is not a choice for all offsite guests at this time. I'm not making an argument against it. However, I don't think that the PP's suggestion of limiting FP+ pre-selection to a single attraction at a time is not a good one and it certainly would not work with the way most offsite guests currently have to use the selection process.

 

[morethananyonex]

During the previous phase of FP+ testing, there were no tiered choices. You could choose FP+ for TSMM, ToT and RnR. Apparently that didn't work out too well because now you can only choose one and then you must select 2 minor attractions to complete your FP+ selections. In a sense, they took a lot away from guests when they did this. Nothing is written is stone when a new process is in the testing phase. I do agree that alienating their offsite guests would not be in their best interest. Allowing them access to the FP+ selection process through MDE is a good idea and will probably become a reality at some point. But the reality is that it is not a choice for all offsite guests at this time. I'm not making an argument against it. However, I don't think that the PP's suggestion of limiting FP+ pre-selection to a single attraction at a time is not a good one and it certainly would not work with the way most offsite guests currently have to use the selection process.

I totally agree with you that limiting pre selected FP to a single attraction would not make Disney happy. They'd probably love it if they could convince their guests to pre book everything.

I recognize that things can be scaled back in the test, however I don't think it's likely when it comes to offsite booking and using MDE. I disagreed with you calling it wishful thinking, as I think any huge unforeseen problem aside, offsite is going to have the ability to use the app. It doesn't make sense for them not to given everything we know, which is why I disagreed with you.

 

[Mamiamjo]

The kiosks sound ridiculous--stand in line to get a FP+ so you don't have to stand in line later?!? This certainly isn't an improvement over the old system. No need to have people standing in line waiting for a kiosk.

WDW could give on-site guests the advantage of pre-booking 3 FP+ and then availing themselves of the scanned FP+ in park.

This is definitely not an improvement over the old system. I'm not sure what they were thinking

 

[ilovemk76]

The kiosks sound ridiculous--stand in line to get a FP+ so you don't have to stand in line later?!? This certainly isn't an improvement over the old system. If I were WDW, I would have integrated a bar scanner into MDE. They could have placed signs in multiple locations throughout the parks for easy access. Guests could go over to one of many signs with FP+ rides listed with their barcodes, scan the barcode associated with a desired ride and step away while the system looked up available times, then choose a time that was returned as available. No need to have people standing in line waiting for a kiosk.

WDW could give on-site guests the advantage of pre-booking 3 FP+ and then availing themselves of the scanned FP+ in park.

How is this better than just using your smart phone and MDE?

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think a big mistake WDW made was starting the test without tiers. I really think they misjudged the numbers of FPs that would be used.

If they tier MK, it will feel even more like a takeaway, since MK needs more FPs per day, not less.

 

[Mad Hattered]

What is this world come to when I'm accused of being too hopeful for FP+?

 

[Cookie Princess]

Disney doesn't have to ration rides. They could have just as easily opted to spend that $1.5B on more attractions to increase capacity.

I 100% agree.

 

[Bullseye]

Disney doesn't have to ration rides. They could have just as easily opted to spend that $1.5B on more attractions to increase capacity.

Good chance that might have swayed some visitors from leaving WDW for US/IOA during their trips also.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

What slowed down distribution previously is that you had to be IN the park AT the ride kiosk to access FP. The easier you make it, the more people avail themselves of it.

Part of the system limited the number of FastPasses available. If Disney see this as a problem, then they can just lower the maximum allowed FastPasses per ride.

 

[mom2rtk]

I had no idea. But it seems quite fitting.

Good chance that might have swayed some visitors from leaving WDW for US/IOA during their trips also.

And it's quite possible that they might have swayed even more to leave try US for the first time.

Part of the system limited the number of FastPasses available. If Disney see this as a problem, then they can just lower the maximum allowed FastPasses per ride.

Not likely. FP is the currency by which the new Disney operates. Them printing less would be like having a cash printing press in the basement and choosing to print less.

 

[2Tiggies]

What slowed down distribution previously is that you had to be IN the park AT the ride kiosk to access FP. The easier you make it, the more people avail themselves of it.

Yes. Really, what kind of theme park actually requires you to actually go to the park AND walk over to the attraction you want to ride???!!

 

[morethananyonex]

Yes. Really, what kind of theme park actually requires you to actually go to the park AND walk over to the attraction you want to ride???!!

The kind that is NOT FAIR! What about people who need to walk into the park at 2:00 PM and ride TSMM?

 

[starsweeper]

How is this better than just using your smart phone and MDE?

I was thinking of off-site guests--it's my understanding only on-site guests can use MDE so everyone else is stuck waiting for a kiosk. It would reduce the need for kiosks because most off-site guests have smart phones, so scanning barcodes would be quicker than waiting in line at a kiosk. The kiosks would only be needed for non-smart phone guests or if MDE is down.

 

[clsteve]

I was thinking of off-site guests--it's my understanding only on-site guests can use MDE so everyone else is stuck waiting for a kiosk. It would reduce the need for kiosks because most off-site guests have smart phones, so scanning barcodes would be quicker than waiting in line at a kiosk. The kiosks would only be needed for non-smart phone guests or if MDE is down.

Many, many guests are from overseas who may/may not have smart devices and/or the correct data plans and services. The kiosks will be a big part of this for the foreseeable future

 

[clsteve]

You must be psychic- this is exactly what my tax returns are telling me while I stare at them......